THE DIVINE AS RESOLUTION OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE THOUGHT OF HERACLITUS

Abstract

The conception of "the divine" has a great physical significance in the philosophy of Heraclitus. Nature, from the point of view of the relationship and unity of all its opposites, has a "divine" character. This vision of the cosmos, linked to the common reason that governs it, explains the critics of the popular religion by Heraclitus, whose beliefs and practices do not demonstrate a thorough insight into divinity. Heraclitus offers several examples relating to the Dionysian cult, but also some references to the soul, allowing us to compare Heraclitus and Orphism (taking as a reference the Derveni Papyrus).